Cornerback Brian Kelly has finally inked a deal to join the team most suspected he would: the Detroit Lions.

Kelly on Saturday signed a reported three-year contract, finding a home to continue playing after buying his way out of his contract with the Bucs last month.

The Lions hosted Kelly on Wednesday and now are making him the latest ex-Buc to join the team's defense. Last year, defensive end Dewayne White signed a lucrative deal with Detroit. And last week, safety Kalvin Pearson, a restricted free agent, signed an offer sheet that the Bucs are not expected to match by Wednesday's 4 p.m. deadline.

Why the attraction to former Tampa Bay players? Well, you probably know by now that Detroit is full of former Bucs coaches. Head coach Rod Marinelli, defensive coordinator Joe Barry and defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake are all former Tampa Bay assistants.

The key for Kelly in 2008 will be staying healthy. He has missed portions of the past two seasons with a toe injury in 2006 and a groin injury in 2007. The Bucs have yet to address his loss by adding a cornerback.